People

Brandon Chalifoux, Assistant Professor

Prior to joining the College of Optical Sciences (2020-present), I completed my Ph.D. and Postdoctoral training at MIT in the Space Nanotechnology Laboratory. I completed a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering at Rice Unviersity. Aside from research and teaching, I enjoy rock climbing, mountain biking, and trying to avoid the cholla during both.

Graduate students

Kevin Laverty, PhD student (Optical Sciences)

Brody McElwain, PhD student (Optical Sciences)

I graduated from Penn State University with a B.S. and M.S. in Engineering Science and Mechanics in 2022. I started my PhD in Optical Sciences at UofA in 2022. I work on technology development for high-resolution X-ray optics. My research has an emphasis on fabrication, assembly, and figure correction of our X-ray Flex Module concept. In my spare time I enjoy climbing at Mount Lemmon and Cochise Stronghold, live music in the Tucson and Phoenix music scenes, film photography, and going to the movies.

Sofia Hillman, PhD student (Optical Sciences)

I started my PhD in optical sciences at the University of Arizona in 2024 after graduating with a Bachelor of Science in physics from UC Santa Barbara’s College of Creative Studies. I work on technology development and optical metrology for lightweight optics. Outside of being a student, I enjoy cycling, baking, thrifting and upcycling, and volunteering at the Humane Society.

Lakshmi Priya Keerthi Gurunathan, PhD student (Optical Sciences)

I graduated from Pondicherry University, India, with an M.S. in Physics before starting my PhD in Optical Sciences at the University of Arizona. My research focuses on improving ultrafast laser processes such as welding and etching of optical materials. In my spare time, I enjoy working on art projects, reading books, playing board games, and traveling to explore new places.

Kyle Ettinger, MS student (Optical Sciences)

I received my B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines before starting my PhD in Optical Sciences at the University of Arizona. My research focuses on developing a novel displacement measuring interferometer to characterize the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of ultra-stable composites for NASA. I also leverage my mechanical engineering background to design custom optomechanical hardware — including a mirror with an integrated flexure — to interface with the composite samples. Outside of research, I enjoy cycling.

Bernie Lee, MS student (Optical Sciences)

Hello! I completed my undergraduate in Physics at the University of Washington in 2021. I’ve been at the UofA since 2024, and am currently wrapping up my masters thesis focused on developing a metrology system for measuring thin gaps which will be implemented on the laser stress figuring system.

On cooler days, I love to go outside and play any form of racket sports or drive around looking for garage sales. When it gets too hot in the summer, I’m a big fan of flight/car/mech simming.